American
Women!A Celebration of Our History
April 22 -- October 29, 2000

FROM
JAZZ TO WAR1920-1950
Flappers and Freedoms
Depression and Desertion
War and Peace

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on the photo for an enlarged view

Each decade from 1920 to
1950 ushered in turbulent changes. The meaning of equal rights for women changed
along with the times.

Proclaiming the image of
liberation and independence, the young women of the "Roaring Twenties" sported
short hair and short skirts, danced and partied all night long. But the truly
independent girls flocked to the workplace in the 1920s only to end up in a
narrow range of jobs. Social and economic issues included low wages for women,
lack of access to credit, safety concerns and sexual harassment.

During the Depression years of the
1930s, working women were accused of taking jobs from unemployed men. High family
desertion rates meant that many mothers were left alone with little money to
care for children and few opportunities to change their lives.

During World War II, the film industry
glamorized single working "girls" and women's job skills began to achieve recognition.
World War II opened up manufacturing and industrial jobs for "Rosie the Riveters."
The government offered Social Security, unemployment insurance, wage and hour
legislation that helped women in the working world.

Once the war ended, however, women
were expected to return to their places in the home. Once again, the family
became the ultimate symbol of security for Americans tired of depression and
war.